A natural trellis made from backyard branches can add both decorative detail and functionality to any garden. Try these six simple steps to build your own.
How To Build A Trellis
Step 1: Select your branches.Scout out branches in your yard that are about 2" thick. Using the Fiskars PowerGear2 Lopper (32"), cut some branches into 4' pieces and some into 3' pieces for building your trellis frame. These sizes can be adjusted to fit your garden area.
Step 2: Clean up branches.Remove any smaller branches or twigs from the main branch using Fiskars PowerGear2 Pruner. This will leave you with clean branches that are easier to join together into your trellis.
Step 3: Choose your metal wire.Flexible metal wire is a great material to join your branches together. Cut a large length into a number of 6" pieces using the Cuts+More Scissors (9").
Step 4: Wrap branches together.Lay your cut branches into a grid pattern that fits neatly into your garden and use the cut pieces of wire to wrap together. This will give growing plants like tomatoes and cucumbers a stable base to cling to.
Step 5: Position trellis.Place the trellis in back of a raised bed or garden area and hammer in place using the Fiskars IsoCore 3 lb Club Hammer (11"). Be sure to tap in place securely so the trellis won't fall over once your plants begin to lean on it for support.
Step 6: Weave plants into place.Now that your trellis is secure, weave climbing plants and tomatoes through the trellis to hold them up and keep them elevated throughout the growing season.
What Can You Grow On A Trellis
In this specific project, because my trellis was part of a square foot pizza gardenI used it to support my tomatoes and peppers, but you can grow many different veggies and flowers on a trellis. Try out some of the below to see what you like best.
- Cucumbers
- Peas
- Pole Beans
- Melons
- Gourds
- Ivy
- Morning Glory
- Wisteria
- Golden Hops
- Lilac
Advantages of Having a Trellis
Once you've decided to add a trellis into your garden, you'll quickly see all of the benefits it can offer.
- Space-Saving. One of the best things about featuring a trellis in your garden is the space-saving it allows. Instead of having you pole beans or climbing cucumbers expand and take over the rest of your garden, you can grow them vertically, allowing more room for additional produce.
- Growing Vertically. You can't grow certain plants, like ivy or Morning Glory, unless they have somewhere to climb. By installing a trellis you can introduce new plant varietals to your garden.
- Built-in privacy. Depending on the construction of your trellis, as well as the position of your garden, you can use a trellis as a built-in privacy wall.
A plastic trellis may cost more than a wood one, but will probably hold up a lot longer. UV stable plastic won't fade or yellow over time as it's exposed to the sun. Plastic trellises constructed of PVC vinyl are a good bet. Metal.
As a general rule, the posts need to be set approximately 600mm (2ft) into the ground. After the hole is dug place the post into the ground using a spirit level to make sure the front of the post is carefully aligned along the string line.
Built right, structural support systems like trellises can support heavy spindles, stalks, trunks and branches. This promotes growth and development while carrying the additional weight of the fruit. Bekaert high tensile 12.5 gauge wire is ideal for any kind of specialty crop trellising.
The frame is very simple. All it takes is eight pieces of wood: two long main stems, two shorter pieces for the main frame, and then four bracing pieces. I'm lucky to have a friend with a few nearby building lots where I can harvest my supplies.
Cut lightweight twine into a bunch of 5- to 6-inch lengths and set aside. Push support sticks straight into the ground, 6 inches deep, at each end of the trellis and in the middle. Fasten twine to the supports at either end, just above the ground, as a guide for keeping a straight line.
Generally wire around 3.0mm works well and offers a lot of options regarding fittings and price. It has an 'in-line' minimum breaking strength of ~700 kgs.
Buy a couple of pieces of rebar from Home Depot or Lowes. Hammer one piece of rebar next to each leg of the trellis. Use wire to wrap around the wooden leg and the rebar to secure it. I use rebar that is cut to 2 feet in length.
Another great thing about a DIY trellis is that it is easy to construct out of many different materials. One of my favorite materials to use is cedar planks. The cedar is durable and sturdy and should stand up to the elements better than some other types of wood, even without a stain or sealant.
Introduction: My name is Merrill Bechtelar CPA, I am a clean, agreeable, glorious, magnificent, witty, enchanting, comfortable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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